Ignition device for projectiles



July l, 1930. I s. ElsErJs-mm IGNITION D VICE FOR PROJECTILES 3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed April l, 1927 /n vn for: f-Zjim an le Zewseff July l, 1930. s. LEBr-:NsAR'r IGNITI'ON DEVICE FOR PROJECTILES Filed Apil 1, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet v2 July 1, 1930. s. LEBENSART IGNITION DEVICE FOR PROJECTILAES s Sheets-sheet s Nf/owfwmwzm 3 4 lFiled 'April 1, 1927 N' il.

Patented July 1, 1930 SALAMON LEBENSART, VIENNA, AUSTRIA 'IGNITION DEVICE Foa rRoJEc'rrLEs Application 1ed April 1, 1927, S'erial No. 180,277, and in Austria July 28, 1926.

The present invention relates to an improved fuse equipped with at least one auto- 'matic safety device; and it isespecially intended for hand grenades and similar pro- 5 jectiles. The automatic operation -of the safety devices, in such projectiles, must occur regardless of the direction of the exter# nal forces of movement.

In known ignition devices of this kind, it

l has been proposed to actuate the safety devices by means of an inertia body in the form of a ball.; and in order to transmit the inertia action from the ball to the safety parts, various connecting parts, movable in one direction only, have been provided. These parts augment to an enormous extent the action of the ball in their own direction of movement; but on the other hand, the action of the ball in the transverse direction ismaterially diminished by friction and impact occurring -in the movement of the ball. Consequently, the operation of the safety device is not sufficiently uniform in the different directions; and under unsatisfactory conditions, the ball may even become self-checlng in transverse directions. This defect, however, is Vovercome by the present invention, which also provides other advantages.

The accompanying drawings represent ignition device of the impact type, but merely by way of example.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a grenade embodying the invention, with the various parts in normal position of rest; Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views showing the position of the parts whenl the grenade is being projected, and during flight, respectively, while -Fi 4 shows the parts at the end of impact ;Y Tig. 5 represents the safety position of the parts'in case the grenade has gone blind; and Fig. 6 shows the .parts in latched .position brought about by the projectile being subjected to a 'sudden shock at too near a distance to the gun or the thrower.

The-ignitionelements are the firing-pin A and the cap B. The safety element consists essentially of an annular spring R, having a constant tendency to contract, while the inertiabcdyywhich actuates the safety dYlQeS,

is constituted mainly by two sleeves N and Z which are slidable axially on each other and are also guided and controlled in their transverse movements by the curved surfaces G, H1 and H2 formed on the casing of the device.

The projectile may be thrown by hand, or it may be-red or hurled from a gun or other f weapon, in any desired direction relatively to the axis of the projectile, thus producing a relative axial movement of the two inertia sleeves N and ZQ Dependingv upon the par-- ticular axial direction in which the grenade is thrown, one or the other sleeve will move (Fig. 2), in consequence of its inertia; while if thrown in an axially oblique direction, for instance, in the direction of the arrow Y1 in Fig. 2, both sleeves move simultaneously in consequence of their sliding contact with 'the curved guide surfaces G, H1 and H2. Thus, with an axial projection, the inertia of only one sleeve acts, while with a transverse or oblique projection, that of both sleeves. However, with an'oblique projection, one component of the inertia force 'is mostly lost; also,

with all non-axial directions, greater friction and impact checks occur. In the transverse and oblique directions, therefore, the greater inertia is diminished by the negative iniuences, so that a practically constant effect results in the operation of the parts in every direction of projection.

' In consequence of the axial movement of inertia of the sleeves N and Z relatively to each other, the spring ring R is forced, during the act of projection, past thebottom edge W2 of a ring W by the edge or shoulder N2 .provided on sleeve N, so that it snaps over the edge W2 and seats against an inclined intermediate surface Z2 on sleeve Z, as shown in Fig. 2. y

The diameter of the lateral flange Zs which Y terminates the intermediate inclined surface Z2 is such that the spring ring R comes to bear against said flange under the influence of the inertia forces set up by projectiomand is not forced over the flange. In the result# ing position of the sleeves N and Z, as well as of the firing-pin A and cap B, ignition cannot 006111', being prevented by the lsafety spring R when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2.

As the grenade begins its free flight, after leaving the hand or the gun or other weapon,

the inertia forces set up by projection ceasev sleeve N, with the result that a relative displacement of the two sleeves takes place. If the sleeves do not occupy in the casing at that time the axial position indicated by the line X-X, they will be returned to that position by the spring which finally comes to rest in contact with the tapered outer surface V1 o a sleeve V which tits over sleeve N and remains there during the. entire Hight until impact occurs, during which time it holdsithe sleeves N and ...Z in a position in which pin A and cap B are separated longitudinally (Fig. 3). The sleeve V is loose on sleeve N and, as shown, is of inverted rusto-conical form, and its upper or larger base V2 normally fits in a seat N8 provided for it in sleeve N and projects slightly beyond the same, thus producinga shoulder or edge over which the spring ring R will snap under certain conditions, as explained hereinafter.

The previously-mentioned ring W loosel-y encircles sleeve V under ordinary conditions, so that it is free to move in the annular space between sleeve N and its outwardly and downwardly bent portion N1. lits `surface W1 is inclined `or tapered and itis also provided with a bottom edge or shoulder W2 against which the spring E bears during its upward sliding movement along the inclined surfaces Z2 4and Z1 on sleeve Z, in consequence whereof ring W will likewise be forced slightly forward with sleeve N, and ring R will move within the confines of ring W, as indicated in Fig. 3.

When impact takes place, the ignition elements A and B are caused to approach each other, independently of the direction or angle of impact, Yby way of example a lateral impact, in the directionof the arrow Y2 is assumed in Fig. 4.' Due to the continued approach of said elements, the percussion capv is ignited and explosion then takes'place by reason of the sparks from the cap encountering the detonator cap inserted in the cas-- ing at H8 but not shown.. As will be seen from Fig. 4, the spring ring R, at the moment of impact, snaps behind the edge or shoulder V2 of the sleeve V and comes to a stop in engagement with the tapered surface N5 of sleeve N just above the sleeve V; .and if, for any reason, the shot is blank or blind, orif the parts-have remained uninjured, the spring R will move, after the impact and in consequence of its elasticity,

igreaeee subsequent ignition movement is prevented,

in consequence, once and for all.

'ln the event that the projectile, before, during or after iring orprojection, but before the spring lit comes into its Hight position (Fig. 3), is subjected accidentally to a blow or shock, then the sleeves Z and N move inwardly relatively to each other, just as they do in the act ont projection and on impact after Hight. are different on impact than they are in projection, the spring, at the impact or blow, snaps over the flange Z2 and seats in a groove Z4 which is formed in the surface oi sleeve Z immediately below ange Z2; and in this latched position (Fig. 6) all danger of accidental ignition is overcome, since inward telescoping of the sleeves Z and N, sucient for ignition, is prevented.

The drawing does not show any hand-released safety device for transportation, but such a device can readily be provided and can be of any desired type. L

To permit the operation of the ignition elements A. and B by movements of the saine inertia bodies lil, Z, etc., which also operate the safety devices, an abnormally-great play or lost-motion travel, indicated by the lines' b, d1, d2 (Fig. l), is provided, amounting toat least l1/2 mm.; and the said inertia bodies have to undergo these movements before the counter-action of the ignition elements A and B begins.

With a lost-motion or path of travel d1, d2,-

the casing formsa stop which allows only a limited-transverse movement of cap B. But,

However, since the dynamic etects in order to still obtain a suciently long con trol of theinertia body at the side of cap B,

a special intermediate guide Harige Z8 is provided on the sleeve Z, by means of which that sleeve is controlled by the cooperating'curved guide surface H1 ofthe casing.` The sleeve Z can be controlled entirely by this flange Z,

`or it can be controlled partly-by said flange and partly by the curved or rounded lo'wer end-212, Fig. 2, of the sleeveZ which coacts with the curved guide surface H2 -ofA the casing.

This latter control is especially advantageous for initiating the movement of the inertia bodies in the case of oblique impact, in which the loss of energy by impact is great and it is difficult to get the inertia bodies started. But when said bodies are controlled near one end only, they are, in case of oblique impact, easily tilted, thereby initiating th'e movement, which then continues in consequence of the energy resulting from the tilting. Y y

In 'the device illustrated, the sleeve Z is guided or controlled first by its rear end Z12 and .then by its intermediate part or flange Z8. The guide surface at the side of the cap B is, accordingly, divided into two parts H1 and H2 which are relatively displaced axially and at least one of which forms an annular surface. Then the ignition elements A, B are located in the space between the two parts H1 and H2 in the tapered portion H2, in consequence of which the part H2 acts only at the beginningas a' guide surface, since after a certain minimum `extent of the side movement, the flangeZs comes-into. contact with vthe part H1 (F ig, -4) which then takes care of the further guiding." In consequence of this arrangement, the sleeves N and Z make no movement which is strictly lateral to the axis X-X, but on the contrary make only a tilting or swinging movement, so that the end of the inertia body N, Z containing the ignition cap moves laterally to a considerably lessV extent than the opposite end of the said inertia body. The passage of sparks. from the cap B to the detonator cap is therefore always assured (Fig. 4). l' f As is obvious, the inertia body (considered as a whole) and its parts make different relative movements under differentconditions and. therefore, in order that the action may be reliable and always the same under like conditions, the relatively-movable parts of the inertia body must be accurately guided -relatively to each other at least during their operative action. The sleeves N and Z constitute the main parts of the inertia body, in the movement and action of the latter, and the guiding of` these parts relatively to each other must, in particular, be accurate. To this end, in the form illustrated, as great a length of guiding' surface as possible is provided on the sleeves N and Z; both of them being extend-A -ed on the side of the ignition cap in the form of a ta ered prolongation.

In or er to avoid a still further increase in .the length of theignition device, the cap B (or its carrier Z) is formed as aninwardlypromoting ',sofcliet. which is surrounded by the guide portion Z11 of'sleeve' Z ;`and as a further corfsequen'ce -of this,- the in A is not located 'at the end'of the sleeve but at a certain distance. back therefrom in a recess N2,

so that the pin is surrounded by the hollow case N11 which thus serves both to guide one yend lof sleeve N in sleeve Z and to protect theV guideway Z5 of sleeve Z and receives the movable sleeve V. This flange N 7, as well as the parts Z11 and N11, all form, as will be seen, hollow guides which enclose other parts.

- In the construction illustrated, there are three automatic safety devices, viz: the projection device, the sho'ck latch and the stop or off latch. Allthree have a common safet or latch member, i. e., the spring ring R, w ich takes different positions for its various actions.

To protect the spring from compression by the lforces acting upon it in its safety and latch positions, and to render these forces operative, rigid core-pieces R1 are inserted'in the spring to takeup the pressure loads.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the spring seats in a ca e N3, located at the lower end of the turne -back portion N1. The

bottom wall N4 of this cage leaves between it and the'ring W only a narrow free annular space', so that the spring cannot get out of the cage without a relative movement of the parts forming the cage. The top wall of the cage is formed by the edge N2, which is of smaller diameter than the outer wall of the cage; the result being, on the one hand, that the spring is constrained to work with the edge N2 until it takes the flight position (Fig. 3) and, on the other hand, in consequence of the width of the cage, the spring is given sufiicient vspace for its lexpansion movement while on the outwardlytapering sleeve V.`

The sleeve V fis movable endwise on the sleeve N to an extent which, though limited, is still great enough to allow the spring to pass between it and the seat or shoulder N8 which, together with the upper end or base V2 of sleeve V, forms a recess wherein the springseats in its'latching or safety (blind shot) position (Fig. 5). This seat or recess is kept closed by the action of the spring itself in its flight position (Fig. 3), and is also unclosed by the spring in its movement from its ignition position (Fig. 4)v into the blind shot safety position (Fig. 5). v To this' end, the surfaces V1 and Nl5 are tapered in vof flange Z1, since it previously lies in the annular. space between said flange and the edge W2 of ring W, into which space l it lllO initially moves on being forced downward 'from 'engagement with saidring. lf this takes place very rapidly, for instance in case of an impact, the spring has no time to spring deeply enough into the aforesaid space between the parts `W2 and Zs so `that it slides f f over part Za into the safety groove Zt, Figi; bntif the spring slides downwardly relativeslowly, for instance in case of ordinary By the above described construction, there yis provided a resistance against the entry of the spring intoy the latch position, Fig. 6,

which depends upon the speed of movementy which oner member of the` inertiaL body comofthe spring in such a way that the said resistance becomesless 'as the'speed of said f the space Ibetween whichy is adaptedto slid-ry spring increases.

Without the annulary space between edge' Vi 2 kand iange Z3, kthe transverse surface of the dangey would' form a resistance to the entry of the spring into the latch position,

lwhich would be independent of the velocity of movement of the spring.

ln order to make ythe resistancepathas small asfpossible and, at the same time,to f attain in a simple way precision of operation of the device, the transverse flange Z8' yis given such size and is so located that the spring yR only comes into contact with the edge of said Harige.

To prevent an accidental, even if only a slight, sliding of the spring beyond its latching groove Z", an annular rib Z1" is provided behind said groove, with which a similar rib N10 formed on the bottom face of shoulder N2 is adapted to interlock on impact (Fig. 4)

The invention is not limited to ignition devicesof the impact type, but can also be employed to a certain extent in time fuses. The two sleeves, operating the projection safety device, could operate, for example, a friction ignition wire Ain their movement from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3, which wire would start a liame igniter.

' But even in impact igniters, the sleeves N and Z need not necessarily act as the inertia body which actuates also the ignition elements A, B, vas those elements could be mounted and arranged on some other parts than the sleeves and which could be suitably connected with the safety parts.

controllingy the y-operation "of the r.ignition devices. f

, Q A projectile, according to claim 1, in i which one member of the inertia bodyy isv formed with an annular groove to receive the spring ring under predetermined conditions, whereby the relative movement of the two members is prevented.

8. A'. projectile, according to claim l, in

which the spring ring is provided with at least oneinternal stidening member.

'4. A projectile, according to claiinfl,Y in

inertia bodyy areformed as guide surfaces for controllingthe kmovements of the spring ring. f f

5. A. proj whereby, inthe relative movement of said members, the spring ring is actuated. f

6. A projectile, according to claiinl, rin y which one memberof the yinertia body is formed with an annular groove to lreceive said. ring under redetermined' conditions,

, which the edgesof the parts constituting they f whereby the reiative movement yof the ytwo y ymembers is prevented; and in which means are provided for resisting the entrance of the ring into such groove. f 7. A. projectile, accordingtofclaimfl, in f,

which one rmember of the inertia body is formed `with an annular groove to receive said ring under predetermined conditions, whereby the relative movement of the two members is prevented; and in which a transversely-disposed member is provided on the grooved member to resist the entrance of the ring into such groove.

8. In a projectile, the combination of ignition devices; a universally-movable inertia body for operating the same comprising two slidably related members movable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia produced bv the action of external forces on the projectile; and an annular safety device encircling the inertia body to be controlled by the operation thereof and itself controlling the operation of the ignition devices.

9. A projectile, according to claim 8, in which one member of the inertia body is formed with an annular groove to receive the safety device under predetermined conditions, whereby the relative movement of the two members is prevented.

10. A projectile, according to claim 8, in which the edges of the members of the inertia body are formed as 'guide surfaces to control the movements of the annular safety device.

l1. A projectile, according to claim 8, in which one member of the inertia body is formed with an annular groove to receive the safety device under predetermined conditions, whereby the relative movement of the two members is prevented; and in which means are provided for resisting the entrance of the safety device into such groove.

12. A projectile, according to claim 8, in which one member of the inertia body is formed with an annular groove to receive the safety device under predetermined conditions, whereby the relative movement of the two members is prevented; and in'which a transversely-disposed member is provided on the grooved member to resist the entrance of the safety device into such groove. j

13. A projectile, according to claim 8, in which one member of the inertia body comprises spaced outer and innerannular parts, the space between which is ada ted to slidably receive another member o said body, whereby, in the relative movement of sa1d members, the safety device is actuated.

14. In a projectile, the combination of a casing; ignition devices enclosed therein; a safety device in said casing actuated bythe external throwing forces for preventing ignition during throwing; a universally-movable inertia bodyein the casing for actuating and releasing-the safety device regardless of the direction of said throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile, said inertia body .comprising two slidably related members .movable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces' and means for guiding the inertia body 1n its transverse movements.

15. In a projectile, the combination of acasing; ignition devices enclosed thereinga universally-movable inertia body in said casing for operating the ignition devices and comprising two slidably related members movable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia 'produced by the action of the external throwing forces exerted u on the rojectile; means for guiding said ody in its transverse movements; and a safety device in the casing actuated by said external throwing forces for preventing ignition during throwing and itself actuated 'and released `by v the members of the inertial body regardless of the direction of said external forces -With relation to the axis lof the projectile.

. 16. In a projectile, the combination of a casing; ignition devices enclosed therein; a

safety device in said casing for preventing i nition during throwing; a universally-movaIile inertia body in the casing for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the external throwing forces with relation lto the axis ofthe projec.- tile, said inertia body comprising two telescoping'members mounted for relative sliding movement consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwin forces; and means for guiding the inertia` ody 1n its transverse movements.

17. A projectile, accorda to claim 15,111`

tion devices; a safety device actuated by the external throwing forces for preventing ignition during throwing; a universally-movable inertia body for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of said throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile, said inertia body comprising two slidably related members movable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces; and a casing wherein the ignition devices and the inertia body are enclosed, said j casing having portions thereof constituting guides for coaction with said body to control its transverse movements.

19. A. projectile, according to claim 18, in

which the guide portions of the casing are constructed to impart a combined tilting and lateral movement to the inertia body.

20. In a projectile, the combination of a casing; ignition devices enclosed therein; la safety device in said casing for preventing ignit-ion during throwing; a universally-movable inertia body in the casing for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the external throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile, said inertia body comprising two telescoping members mounted for relative sliding movement upon each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces, one of said members havin a long lost-motion movement to execute be ore ignition is leffected; and means for guiding the inertia body in its movements.

21. In a projectile, the combination of a casing; ignition devices enclosed therein; a.

vsafety device in said casing for preventing 1gn1t1on during throwing; a universally-l movable inertia body in the casing for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the external throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile, said inertia body comprising two slidably related members movable relatively to-each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces; means for guiding the inertia body in its transverse movements; and abutments, additional to said guiding means, against Which :said body strikes in its transverse movement and is thereby stopped at the point where it is struck, while at other points it is caused to execute a swinging movement.'

22. In a projectile, the combination of ign-ition devices; a safety device for preventing ignition during throwing; a universallymovable inertia body for actuating and reenclosed, said casing having annular guide portions for coaction with the inertia body at at least one point intermediate its ends to control the transverse movements of said body.

23. In a projectile, the combination of ignition devices; a safety device forpreventing ignition during throwing; a universallymovable inertia body for actuating and releasing the safety ,device regardless of the direction of the vexternal throwing forces with relation to the axis oft-he projectile, said inl ertia body comprising two slidably related members movable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces; and a casing wherein the ignition devices and the `inertia body are enclosed, said casing having a plurality o f guide portions for'coactionwith the inertia body to control the transverse movements thereof, said guide portions being positioned to act one after another on said body.

24. A projectile, according to claini'l-8, in which the point where ignition occurs is located between two guide portions.

25. In a projectile, the combination of a casing; ignition devices enclosed therein; a safety device in said casing for preventing ignition during throwing; and a universallymovable inertia body in the casing for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the external throwing forces With relation to the axis of the proj ectile, said inertia body comprising two telescoping sleeves slidable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia produced by said throwing forces.

26. In a projectile, the combination of a.

universally-movable inertia body comprising two telescoping sleeves slidable relatively to eachother consequent upon the inertia pro-v duced by the action of external throwing forces upon the-projectile; a firing pin carried by one sleeve; a percussion cap carried by the other sleeve to be ignited by the firing-pin; a safety device for preventing ignition during throwingsaid safety device being actuated and released by the inertia body regardless of the direction of said throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile and a casing whereinthe two sleeves of the inertia body, the parts carried thereby and they safety device are enclosed.

27. In a projectile, the combination of a universally-movable inertia body comprising two telescoping sleeves slidable relatively to each other consequent upon the inertia propin mounted in said extension; a cap disposed in said socket in line with said pin; a' safety vdevice for preventing ignition during throwing, said safety device being actuated and released by the inertia body regardless of the direction of said throwing forces with relation to the axis of the projectile; and a casing wherein the two Vsleeves of the inertia body, the parts carried thereby, and the safety device are enclosed.

28. In a projectile, the combination of ignition devices; a safety device for prevent- .ing ignition during throwing; a universallymovable inertia body for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the external throwing devices with relation to the axis of the projectile; and

a casing wherein the ignition devices and the inertia body are enclosed, said casing having portions thereof constituting guides for imparting to said body -a combined lateral-and tilting movement. l

29. In a projectile; the combination of ignition devices; a safety device'for preventing ignition during throwing; a universallymovable inertia body for actuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the directionof the external throwing devices with relation to the axis of the rojectile; and a casing wherein the ignition evices and the inertia body are enclosed, said casing hav ing portions thwereof constituting guides for imparting lateral movements of different ex- 'tents to the opposite ends of said body.

30. In a projectile, the combination of .ignition devices; a safety device for preventing ignitionduring throwing; a universallymovable inertia body foractuating and releasing the safety device regardless of the direction of the e ternal throwing devices with relation to the axis of the projectiley" with the ends of the inertia body, and in which another portion of the casingconstitutes a guide for coaction with an'intermediate portion of said body.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

loef

SALAMN LEBENSART. 

